Joe Underwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Husson University and an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Northern Maine Community College. He spent a significant portion of his career in defense finance and accounting services. Underwood currently serves his third term representing House District 5, which encompasses the City of Presque Isle. He is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, focusing on state and county governance.

Joe Underwood combines a fiscally conservative background with an unexpectedly progressive approach to state governance. His committee service on state and local government suggests a nuanced understanding of administrative intricacies, potentially influenced by his finance expertise. Despite lacking detailed economic and environmental policy stances, his involvement in the Fish and Game Club hints at a pragmatic yet community-focused outlook. Underwood's strategic philosophy seems to blend ideological consistency with a readiness to collaborate across party lines, raising questions about how he balances these approaches.